IBT Staff Reporter

Chinese consumer inflation unexpectedly slowed last month, but a leap in lending and a rise in factory-gate inflation will keep policymakers alert to the risk of credit-fueled overheating in the world's third-largest economy.

European leaders have reached a deal to provide aid to Greece, EU president Herman Van Rompuy said on Thursday, in an unprecedented move to stave off a broader crisis in the 16-nation bloc that shares the euro.

Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC will convert 11 billion Swiss francs ($10.33 billion) worth of UBS notes into shares next month at a price that may erode the value of its stake in the Swiss bank by 70 percent.

AutoNation Inc , the largest U.S. auto dealership group, on Thursday posted quarterly results that exceeded analysts' expectations and said Toyota Motor Corp was making progress in its repair program.

Iran is now able to enrich uranium to more than 80 percent purity, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Thursday, coming close to levels experts say would be needed for a nuclear bomb.

Doctors in osteopathic medicine (DOs) are medical doctors additionally trained in gentle manipulative techniques to help restore function, range of motion, and lessen pain in bones and adjoining muscles supporting the neck, back, chest, shoulders, and hips.

The Swiss government will probably have to turn to parliament to resolve a legal impasse threatening a deal struck with the U.S. to hand over data from UBS clients, a minister was quoted as saying.

Moody's upgraded the outlook for Lithuania's debt rating recently, but that means nothing to people like Lijandra Garniene.

Chanting Viva, Nelson Mandela, Viva, thousands of South Africans marked 20 years on Thursday since the anti-apartheid icon walked to freedom after 27 years as a political prisoner.

Time, prosperity and short memories could allow Goldman Sachs Group Inc to slowly ratchet up bonuses for its top executives, but analysts believe the days of mega payouts are probably gone for good.

PepsiCo Inc reported a sharp jump in quarterly profit in line with expectations on Thursday, with sales that came in just ahead of forecasts, and stood by its profit expectations for the full year.

The United Nations vented frustration on Thursday at the lack of progress at the world's only multilateral disarmament negotiating forum, calling on its members to show more flexibility and get down to work.

The World Health Organisation will convene its emergency committee later this month to examine whether the H1N1 flu pandemic has peaked, its top influenza expert said on Thursday.

Stock index futures rose on Thursday as key euro zone officials struck a deal to help Greece with its debt crisis, while investors awaited data on the health of the labor market.

Singapore opens its first casino on Sunday, coinciding with the start of the Chinese New Year, as the city-state makes the latest roll of the dice to turn itself into a playground for the rich.

Ukraine's Yulia Tymoshenko on Thursday defiantly refused to concede defeat to rival Viktor Yanukovich in a presidential election, throwing Ukraine into turmoil that threatened chances of a swift return to stability.

American International Group has lined up all the major investment banks to underwrite the public listing of its Asian life insurance unit, in what may be Hong Kong's biggest IPO since 2006, banking sources said.

AutoNation Inc , the largest U.S. auto dealership group, on Thursday posted quarterly results that exceeded analysts' expectations and said Toyota Motor Corp was making progress in its repair program.

The U.S. Northeast began to clean up after two blizzards in a week brought the region to a standstill with record snowfalls, leaving thousands without power and creating a multimillion-dollar mess.

Kazuo Akatsuka, 55, lives a life that is dominated, for better or worse, by his employer, Toyota Motor Corp, and right now it's got him a little worried.

Sanctions on North Korea will not be removed until Pyongyang returns to disarmament talks and takes serious steps toward scrapping its nuclear arms program, the foreign ministers of South Korea and Japan said on Thursday.

Ah, love and money -- you'd think they have nothing to do with each other. There's the whole money can't buy you love; the best things in life are free creed that most of us hold dear.

Credit Suisse boss Brady Dougan said the Swiss bank was winning client money and transactions faster than at any point since the financial crisis began, putting a positive sheen on weak quarterly earnings.

Stock index futures rose on Thursday with the spotlight on a European summit that could set the blueprint for aid to debt-laden Greece, while investors awaited data on the health of the labor market.

Iranian opposition websites said security forces clashed with protesters and arrested at least 30 as huge crowds flocked to central Tehran on Thursday to mark the 31st anniversary of the Islamic revolution.

Climate change has affected Kenyan coffee production through unpredictable rainfall patterns and excessive droughts, making crop management and disease control a nightmare, a researcher said on Thursday.

U.S. lenders are becoming increasingly willing to take over bankrupt borrowers --- a significant shift from last year, when companies like Chrysler and Eddie Bauer were pushed to a quick sale.

Mortgage foreclosure filings dropped in January but the decline may prove only temporary as housing-rescue efforts fall short of addressing current drivers, a report released on Thursday showed.

French carmaker Renault posted a wider-than-expected net loss and said on Thursday it would focus on generating positive free cash flow in a tough 2010 market.